I'm excited to go. I've never been to an event like this before, and I hear it's a blast. I'm going with a buddy and I'll be bringing my 13 y/o daughter along with me. I'd also love to hear thoughts or suggestions from people who have attended in previous years.

If you're doing the classes, the one bit of advice I'd give is to *not* overload your schedule. You'll be burned out by the end of the event, & will be scrambling to see things that you haven't been able to. Seriously - we see it every year. Give yourself time (every day) to relax, visit the vendors, and see some of the film festival (Austin Vince does a great job).

Also leave time to hang out and BS with people that you'll run across.

Thanks for the advice Gents! Goodtimes, I'm getting the whole package deal because I'd like to do some of the motorcycle workshops (never had any type of off-road training). But at the same time, since I'm going with my daughter, I don't want her to be standing around twiddling her thumbs for several days. So I'm going to limit the amount of time I'm doing the riding workshops.

Belstaff, thanks for the weather head's up. I always prepare for huge weather extremes on any trip I go on, but I'll make sure my daughter is prepared as well. The low nightime temps gives me an idea of the type of sleeping gear we'll need to bring.

I'm honoured to be invited back again this year to give some talks and classes. It's one of the best travellers' events in the world. I had a fantastic time last year- everyone was so friendly and there's quite a lively atmosphere.
Many of the ADV RR authors are regulars and it's a bit of a grand reunion for us all.
Some fantastic riding on all the dirt tracks in northern Arizona and a lot to see and do at the Expo itself.

Come over and say hello to me- maybe we could all have a mini-ADV meet in the pub one evening?

I would advise that you be somewhat prepared on the food/water side of things. In my mind, given the large size of the event, there was a rather surprising shortage of food and beverage outlets. That's not to say there aren't any facilities: there was a grill under the bleacher seats and a restaurant/store on main street. However, both have limited hours and if you're tenting and just need a bottle of water for instance, you have a LONG walk to get to said store. There wasn't a single food cart in the vendor area to even grab a bottle of water. This year if I go I'll make sure I'm stocked up on bottled water and food in reserve beforehand in case I get caught out in my tent and hungry after the late night film ends.

Speaking of which....in my opinion - after going to the Expo quite a few times - the Film Festival portion is the main reason I go now; it alone is well worth the price of admission. The introductions to each by witty Austin Vince are awesome also; never afraid to give his opinions, Austin.

I would advise that you be somewhat prepared on the food/water side of things. In my mind, given the large size of the event, there was a rather surprising shortage of food and beverage outlets. That's not to say there aren't any facilities: there was a grill under the bleacher seats and a restaurant/store on main street. However, both have limited hours and if you're tenting and just need a bottle of water for instance, you have a LONG walk to get to said store. There wasn't a single food cart in the vendor area to even grab a bottle of water. This year if I go I'll make sure I'm stocked up on bottled water and food in reserve beforehand in case I get caught out in my tent and hungry after the late night film ends.

Speaking of which....in my opinion - after going to the Expo quite a few times - the Film Festival portion is the main reason I go now; it alone is well worth the price of admission. The introductions to each by witty Austin Vince are awesome also; never afraid to give his opinions, Austin.

I would advise that you be somewhat prepared on the food/water side of things. In my mind, given the large size of the event, there was a rather surprising shortage of food and beverage outlets. That's not to say there aren't any facilities: there was a grill under the bleacher seats and a restaurant/store on main street. However, both have limited hours and if you're tenting and just need a bottle of water for instance, you have a LONG walk to get to said store. There wasn't a single food cart in the vendor area to even grab a bottle of water. This year if I go I'll make sure I'm stocked up on bottled water and food in reserve beforehand in case I get caught out in my tent and hungry after the late night film ends.